Mencius (book)

Lore & Background

The Mencius is an anthology of conversations and anecdotes attributed to the Confucian philosopher Mencius (c. 372–289 BC). The book is one of the Chinese Thirteen Classics, and explores Mencius's views on the topics of moral and political philosophy, often as a dialogue with the ideas presented by Confucianism. The interviews and conversations are depicted as being between Mencius and the various rulers of the Warring States period (c. 5th–3rd centuries BC). The book documents Mencius's travel across the states, and his philosophical conversations and debates with those he meets on his journey. A number of scholars suggest that the text was not written by Mencius himself, but rather by his disciples. The text is believed to have been written during the late 4th century BC. Mencius's core ideas on education and human nature were largely shaped during the Warring States period. After the Zhou dynasty was ended by the Qin in 256 BC, other scholars went to the different kingdoms and advised the rulers and people like in the Jixia Academy, but Mencius had died around 289 BC, before this conquest. It was during his lifetime that Mencius was able to access, and further developed the philosophical doctrines of Confucius. The creation of the Mencius serves as a further elaboration on the Confucian school of thought, emphasizing innate human goodness and moral cultivation. Through this work, Mencius developed the theory of natural goodness (xingshan), which holds that all people have intrinsic cardinal virtues, and that these virtues are developed in the same way that knowledge is cultivated. The Mencius came to be regarded as one of the most important texts that explores the philosophy of Confucianism—mainly due to its philosophical dialogue with the Analects.

Reader's Guide

The Mencius is significant as one of the Chinese Thirteen Classics and a foundational text of Confucian philosophy, particularly for its development of the theory of natural goodness (xingshan). It argues that all people possess innate moral 'sprouts'—humanity, appropriateness, ritual propriety, and wisdom—that distinguish humans from other beings and develop through acculturation. The text's political philosophy expands on Confucian ideas of benevolent governance, advocating for 'virtue politics' and 'benevolent politics' that extend care to marginalized members of society, and it counsels against the use of force to win allegiance. The Mencius has also influenced Chinese literary criticism through its emphasis on understanding an author's intention and context, a tradition termed 'Mencian literary criticism'. Despite its importance, the text was not canonized until the Song dynasty. Various interpretations exist, with scholars such as James Legge opening it to Western readers through a Victorian missionary perspective, and others like Behuniak viewing its ability to transcend culture and time as what canonizes it as a world classic.

Did You Know?

• The Mencius is one of the Chinese Thirteen Classics.
• A number of scholars suggest the text was not written by Mencius himself but by his disciples.
• The text argues that all people have four innate 'sprouts' of virtue: humanity, appropriateness, ritual propriety, and wisdom.